According to INSACOG data, Omicron’s new variant XBB.1.5 is first found in Gujarat, India, in December. This new sub-variant XBB.1.5 is to blame for the rising number of COVID cases and hospitalizations in New York. Omicron’s original subvariant BA.2 was combined to create XBB. The XBB variant was first found in India in August, and it quickly became dominant as more than 275 cases were found in the Maharashtra state. Since then, the variant XBB has evolved into a family of sub-variants, including XBB.1 and XBB.1.5.
The virus needs to bind with its host’s cells to be more efficient. According to researchers, XBB.1.5 differs from its family members due to an additional mutation that improves binding to cells, making the XBB.1.5 variant more efficient. It is also proven that the XBB.1.5 variant can evade protective antibodies and is highly immune. Scientists also warned that sub-variants like XBB could compromise the effectiveness of current COVID-19 vaccines.
The new variant XBB.1.5 exhibits far more diverse symptoms than the previous variants. The symptoms of XBB.1.5 do not include fever or cough but joint pain, upper back pain, neck pain, headache, lack of appetite, and pneumonia.
The Indian government has started restricting international travel in terms of COVID guidelines, and it is advised to take precautions. According to experts, India should not be worried and should exercise cautionary guidelines and appropriate behavior. As almost 90% of adults in India have received the double dose of COVID vaccines, IMA also issued an advisory to the citizens of India, urging them to follow the guidelines and take vaccines and booster doses.
– An article by Shivani Gadre
